This week marks the tenth anniversary of 9/11. The journey between the Islamist attack on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon and the elimination of Bin Laden is one that has changed America forever. Today, to mark that journey, we are reposting the blog we published in May upon the announcement that the mastermind behind the destruction was dead.
We Drank Champagne and Remembered
I have been out of town for the past several days, and, as it happens, I was with my writing partner, “Holmes,” in Arizona last night when the news went public that Bin Laden is dead. We broke open a bottle of champagne and toasted. Not in merriment or triumph, but in solemn gratitude to everyone who brought this success for all Americans to fruition. The following is Holmes’ comment on this important landmark in our fight against terrorism.
Holmes:
Tonight, I feel a sense of relief at the death of the bestial mass murderer, extortionist, rapist, and common thief, Osama Bin Laden. His death does not signify an end to the war against terror, but it is a significant achievement. I feel a deep sense of gratitude at having been afforded the privilege to serve with the many great Americans and Allies, and the many sympathetic and helpful people throughout the world who have chosen to stand on the side of decency. I remain thankful to every one of them for their commitment and sacrifices.
Tonight, I feel a need to reflect on the loss of thousands of Americans from the 9/11 attacks, and the other attacks perpetrated by Bin Laden’s sick worshipers. I hope that tonight’s news can bring some measure of closure to the thousands of loved ones who suffered losses on that terrible day.
Tonight, in particular, I find myself thinking of New York City Fire Marshal and part-time member of the United States Army Special Forces, Ronnie Bucca. Ronnie had served as a member of the renowned New York City Fire Department “Rescue 1″ and had been involved in daring rescue operations that seem too far-fetched for Hollywood movies. After suffering a broken spine in one such rescue in Manhattan, Ronnie defied medical science and was able to return to duty and became a Fire Marshal for New York City.
Ronnie was one of the individuals who struggled mightily against a second attack on the Twin Towers. (Remember that the 9/11 attacks were the second attack on the Twin Towers, the first being a truck bombing in 1993.) Ronnie’s experience with the first Twin Towers bombing, as well as his experience as a United States Army Intelligence Specialist, a Fire Marshal, and a member of Rescue 1, gave him a unique perspective on terrorist threats, and Ronnie was convinced that another attack on the Twin Towers was highly likely.
NY City Fire Marshal Ronald Bucca
Ronnie reached out to a variety of people concerning his well-founded fears. Had more people listened to him, the attack might have been thwarted. On 9/11, Ronnie was on duty as a Fire Marshal. When he heard the news, he and his partner went to the World Trade Center and entered the complex to help in the evacuation and firefighting efforts. Ronnie and his fellow fire fighters must have known that they had little chance of surviving that fire, but it didn’t stop them from trying to save as many lives as possible.
The last conversation I had with Ronnie Bucca was about his concern for a possible attack on the Twin Towers. I send my renewed condolences and my respect to his wife, Eve, and to their two children, Jessica and Ronald. We have not forgotten Ronnie.
To all those who have lost loved ones in the fight against terrorism, they, too, are remembered.
JH
What do you remember about 9/11?
Great post! I think a collective sigh of relief was felt throughout our country the night that Bin Laden was killed. If nothing else, it was symbolic.
So Holmes is a real life person. Who is he?
Hi Susie. Holmes is for sure a real life person. He is “a man with experience in intelligence and covert operations.” It took us 45 minutes to hammer out that phrase. I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to elaborate beyond that except for what he says himself in our blogs. But I know I speak for him when I say he appreciates each and every one of our readers, just as I do. Thanks for stopping by. We love your comments.
Hi Susie. I’m the innocent looking guy that your mom warned you about. My wife can vouch for that.
Oh your the one. Hahaha!
The fall of Osama was indeed a relief but having stopped him before he could gain this particular point of infamy would have been the greater relief. Especially for the families of so many that lost loved ones, like Ronnie Bucca. The next sigh of relief may come when they finally finish the memorial. Another decade?
Holmes, is a brilliant mind that understands the value of shadow. Salute, sir, to you and all those that have served our country in the light and in the dark.
Thank you for your kind words Gene.
What I remember most about 9/11:
I work in an area that is directly in the flight path for a regional airport. We are outside most of the day, and the sound of jet planes flying directly overhead is something we are very used to, some so low you can wave at the pilot.
On 9/11 I remember planes heading in for a landing, one after the other, in such rapid succession I wondered where they could possibly be putting them all, and then…nothing. For the days afterward it was so eerily silent at work, you would have had to have been unconscious not to notice. No jet trails, nothing.
Things eventually got back to “normal”, but there are very few times now that a jet comes in for a landing and I don’t on some level remember the days when it was so silent, when everything changed for us as a society.
Thank you Holmes for a wonderful post reminding us of why we should never forget.
Thank you Callene.
I saw this in my inbox and kept avoiding the post because I knew it would make me cry. Yep, it did.
I live in California, so the day of the attacks it was early here – we were getting our daughter ready for school and my friend called saying, ‘turn on your TV, now!’. I couldn’t move for a long time as I watched in horror what was happening across the country.
We live about 10 minutes from Camp Pendleton, so the threat of us being a target is always there, but on that day I didn’t give a crap about how close we were to San Onofre or Pendleton. I grieved for all the souls lost in the towers, the planes, and on the ground. I knew something had changed for the US and I was scared.
When I heard about Osama bin Laden, like you, I toasted in remembrance of those whose lives were cut short, not for the victory of killing such a vile man.
Sometimes, I want to forget because it hurts so much to remember, but then I remind myself of people like Holmes’ friend Ronnie and I honor them by remembering.
Thank you, Holmes.
Thank you Tameri. The older I get the younger some of those young men and women at Pendleton seem to be.
The only fitting memorial for Ronnie would be greater skill and devotion in the leaders that manage anti-terrorist efforts here in the USA. We know who Ronnie Bucca was now but will we recognize the warnings from the next person like him?
For the sake of all our children I hope so.
I’ve always been amazed at how the near-unanimous outpouring of support for Pres Bush’s “War on Terror” turned into carping and complaining once he actually went on the offensive. The American public always wants to have its cake and eat it, too. We want peace and freedom, but we don’t want to pay the price to win and maintain it.
Hi David. There does seem to be a significant segment of society that wants freedom and security but does not want to pay for any of it. Some folks in Europe and “Western society” seem to indulge themselves with a fantasy of bloodless wars and unexplained miracles.
One reason why “covert action” and “special operations” captures the imagination of congress is because they can’t resist the idea of huge miracles at comparitively low cost. The cost is not always low to the operatives but the costs are acceptable for campaign purposes.
Good post…very sad…but well said. You know it’s sad when the funny woman tears up. Thanks Holmes!
Hi Paige. Thank you.
My twin nephews were born September 10, 2001 – I remember rolling out of bed in such a happy place on 9/11 having spent the day before holding the little bundles of joy, and then I turned on the television set while I was getting ready for class. I didn’t make it to college that day. I sat, stunned, in my living room – crying.
Hi Tiffany. Neither of us can undo 9/11 but we can make the world a better place for your nephews by being the best people that we can be. Freedom relys on the strength of our nation. The strength of any nation depends not just on warriors or the people that build their equipment. In large part a nation’s security is dependant on the integrity of all it’s citizens. More honesty and less corruption= better national security. One obvious example is the fall of France to the Nazis. France did not fall for lack of skilled soldiers or for any lack of courage in those soldiers. France fell because as a society they were not prepared to defend themselves.
If you can’t go to one of the “fronts” today and shoot a taliban or “taliclone” you can still defend freedom with your actions at home.
None of us are any more helpless than we choose to be.
I know of a “disabled” boy that spends his time studying biology and chemistry (from his sick-bed) because he is determined that his health will improve and that he will become a doctor and prevent children from suffering what he has suffered. He will never wear a military uniform but he is one of the bravest people that I have met. I am certain that he will use whatever health and energy that comes to him to make this world a bettter place.
It is a common notion that “one person can’t make a difference” but I believe that every person can make a diference. Who lives in an area where the local hospital can’t use an hour of volunteer time or where there are no children needing help to learn to read?
I’m so glad you reposted this because I wasn’t following you back in May. That’s when I first started blogging.
I live in California, too. It was our 25th wedding anniversary. My husband called me from work and told me to turn the TV on. The first plane had hit, but not the second. It was unreal. My life changed forever that day. The haunting images will be with me the rest of my life. I remember how our country seemed to come together right after that, how most of us had a flag attached to our car windows, how patriotic we felt. We swore we’d never forget, and I never have. I reflect on 9/11 often, and I thank God for every uneventful day that we live through. I’m sad that so many people don’t feel the same as they did then. So many seem to have forgotten the significance of that day and don’t realize that we are still vulnerable.
I know a person with a relative in the FBI, and just as I suspected, there are many things that have happened and are happening that the public isn’t made aware of. I know the CIA, FBI, and others are working nonstop to keep us safe and stay ahead of the terrorists. They’re my heroes and I thank all of them and others who have to stay undercover for their own protection and get no recognition for their heroics. But I know they’re there, and I know we cannot know all that they do because we would live in fear, and that isn’t healthy.
Reading about Ronnie is heart wrenching. If only he’d been taken seriously.
A tragedy like 9/11 brings out the heroes among us. I hope that this 10th anniversary will renew the resolution our country felt then and that we will stand united instead of becoming more and more divided.
Thank you, Holmes, for your service. Thanks for all those like you who serve, and thanks to our military men and women and all those who serve.
What you said, “The strength of any nation depends not just on warriors or the people that build their equipment. In large part a nation’s security is dependant on the integrity of all it’s citizens. More honesty and less corruption= better national security” is so true. And one person definitely can make a difference. Look at the difference Ronnie could have made if the right people had listened to him and taken action.
Our country can stay strong as long as we don’t allow ourselves to become complacent. We must always remember.
Thank you for this post.
Hi lynn. Thanks for remembering.
I remember being at NASA for a contract job. I was teaching a class there and noticed one of my students kept taking phone calls. Finally, he raised his hand and recommended we take a break to check the news since he was getting calls about the first tower being hit.
We were in a learning annex that had a movie theater style room, so we went in there and piped the news through. On the large movie screen, we watched as the second tower was hit.
I remember thinking how surreal it all was.
Then I remember being told that if the threat level escalated one more level, I wouldn’t be able to leave. By the time I drove through the final security checkpoint, I got a call to make sure I made it out, as they were now on lock down.
I remember getting back to my apartment and calming my sister (who awoke to the news and the sound of a low flying plane) and being haunted by the eerie sound from the firemen’s packs.
That sounds still sticks with me.
Hi Amber. It’s interesting how certain sounds stay with us in our memory and at times trigger certain memories and feelings.
When I heard Bin Laden was dead, I felt fear and dread. It was symbolic and what he deserved, yet I thought about the “what’s next” and what the retaliation would be. How do you stop a destructive movement whose followers can’t see how misled they are? I thank all of our armed forces and those working in our government agencies for facing this evil head-on.
Hi Barbara. I enjoyed your article about college and “if we could roll back the clock.” Nice web-page.
“yet I thought about the “what’s next” and what the retaliation would be.” It’s reasonable for us to be concerned but:
His minions were already doing their best to hurt us so hurting them won’t escalate anything. Not hurting them won’t calm them down.They come from a variety of cultures but most of their “revenge” themes are something that they construct to feed their personal terrorist gestalt. They enjoy pretending that they are reacting to “Evil America” but most of them understand little about America. If Israel and all traces of it magically vanished from the solar system tomorrow there would still be no peace in that region. If the United States and all of Western civilization vanished the only change in the mid east would be a calamity from lack of oil money and the loss of all the science, technology and products that they need from Western civilization to survive another day.
Fortunately terrorists are a minority in their own world. It is a slow process but over time enlightenment will defeat ignorance. The time schedule of the defeat of ignorance is of course difficult to ascertain. We are here and it is now so we must deal with the present as efficiently and effectively as we can without allowing our own fears to destroy our hear/now or our future.
If you have fun today and spread a little kindness then you will have defeated Al Qaeda.
[...] Bayard remembers 9/11 and the closure the death of Osama Bin Laden [...]
So sad. Quite frankly, I remember my birthday (Sept. 11 in the U.S. is Sept. 12 in the Philippines). I always wanted something significant to happen on my birthday–say the declaration of independence or something as grandiose. I thought it’d make me feel special. How ironic that I got my wish and definitely not in the way that I wanted it.
It makes me feel like Eragon. He wishes his parents to be grand. His mom, he imagined to hang out with royals and his dad was someone important in history. Imagine when he found out that his mother was the biggest traitor in the kingdom and his father was with him all along but died in the journey (Brom the story teller–but really, one of the most accomplished dragon riders/former dragon rider in history). He got his wish, and would rather go back to the way it once was.
Happy Birthday Marilag.